Preference Selection FAQs

What is Preference Selection?

It is an online tool for you to rank your preferred time for your discussion section for lecture courses and laboratory section for laboratory classes. Seats are distributed to students through a lottery and are placed directly on your schedule. Many chemistry courses and labs use Preference Selection. 

How do I access Preference Selection?

Go to Preference Selection – Fall 2024 to see a list of chemistry courses that require Preference Selection. Each chemistry course link will direct you to its Preference Selection.

You can view Preference Selection information for other Yale College courses through the University Registrar’s Office Preference Selection. 

How do I know if a course uses Preference Selection?

There are three ways to determine if a course uses Preference Selection.

1.   Search for the course in Yale Course Search (YCS). In the Advanced Search, under the Schedule Type drop-down menu, select “Discussion Section.” This will generate a list of all courses.

2.   Visit the Yale College Courses that Use Preference Selection & Courses with Early Admission Processes | University Registrar’s Office

3.   Check the course description under the “Class Notes” field in YCS.

I don’t see the section I chose on my schedule. What do I do?

If you participated in Preference Selection, the assigned discussion or lab section will be uploaded to your worksheet by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 16, 2024. If you still do not see it listed on your schedule by Monday, August 20, 2024, please contact chemistry.dus@yale.edu

What if I want to change my section after the Preference Selection closing date?

Once the Add/Drop period (8/26-9/10) begins, general discussion or lab section signup opens to all students. This means you can change to a different section that has an open seat or drop the course completely from your Fall 2024 Registration worksheet.

It’s important to note open seats are on a first-come, first-serve basis, and students will need to finalize or switch into a section before the Add/Drop period ends on 9/10. If both a discussion section and the course are not selected by then, you will be manually dropped from the course. To switch your discussion section, please follow these step-by-step instructions University Registrar’s instructions. 

How do I know I am fully registered for a course?

You will see two black check marks next to the course and the correlating discussion section on your registration worksheet. The check marks confirm you are fully registered for the term.

Please note, adding the course to your Canvas worksheet does not mean you are enrolled in the course. For more information, see Understanding and Using Worksheets | Registration Resources.

Am I required to take the General Chemistry Lab if I am taking the Lecture portion this term?

Although you are not required to take the lab (e.g., CHEM 222L Organic lab with CHEM 220 Organic lecture) in the same semester as the lecture, this is recommended because the material in one helps you for the other. You may not take the lab before the corresponding lecture.

I have an error code. What does that mean?

Understanding Registration Error Messages | Registration Resources

I’m still having trouble finding the information I need. Where do I go?

Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the registration page and click through the different resources tabs.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

For technical issues with your registration worksheet, email the University Registrar’s Office.

For questions about Chemistry classes, email Chemistry DUS.